Machine for forming fudge-blocks.



F. H. WEBB. MACHINE FOR FORMING FUDGE BLOCKS.

APPUCATlON FILED MAR. 9, I916.

Patented June 4,1918.

l za fism I E'SQE ETS-AHEET I.

IN VEN TOR.

' L TTORNEY -F. H. WEBB. MACHLNE FOR FORMING FUDGE BLOCKS.

APPLICATION HLFD MAR- 9,19I6- Patented June 4,1918.

19268955 I 3 SHEET n ET '2 IN VEN TORI.

WITNESS F. H WEBB.

Patented June 4, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

INVENTOR.

' i ATTORNEY FENNER HALE WEBB, OF LOS ANGELES, OALIFORNIA ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAM RANDOLPH HEARST, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

MACHINE FOR'FORlVIING FUDGE-BLOCKS.

Application filed March 9, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FENNER HALE lVEBB, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Los Angeles, county of Los Angeles, and State of California, have invented a new and useful inventionto wit, a Machine for Forming Fudge-Blocks-of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates particularly to fudge blocks formed so as to be quickly attachable to the cylinders of rotary printing presses and to machines for forming the same.

Among the objects of this invention are to provide a machine that will cast the fudge block with fastening means integrally formed thereon to facilitate the clamping of the block in the fudge cylinder of the press.

In this specification and the annexed drawings, I illustrate the invention in the form that I consider the best, but it is'to be understood that I do not limit myself to such form, because the said invention may be embodied in other forms; and it is also to be understood that in and by the claims following the description I desire to cover the invention in whatever form it may be embodied.

In the production of the modern newspaper, large rotary high speed presses are used. The production of cylinder plates for these presses involves elaborate stereotyping processes and other complicated preparations. The requirements for the incorporation of the very latest news possible in each issue of the paper, brought into being what is known in newspaper parlance as the fudge box. This consists of a form of set up or linotype composition, that is held until the last moment and is fixed on a special cylinder of the press and imprinted upon a blank space left in the make-up of the sheet. There is also a demand for special headings that can be made up and run at the last minute, and it is with these that this invention has particularly to do, to facilitate the rapid production of these headin shape of fudge blocks east in the form of a slug or block having attaching means integrally formed therewith, wlth the type faces perfectly formed and ready for direct impression on the newspapers without the complicated process of stereotyping necessary in the production of the larger cylinder plates. Such headings are usually prlnted Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June a, 1918.

Serial No. 83,042.

in red or a contrasting color. Heretofore these headings have been set up in a stick of individual type; these type being expensive and tedious to form, are used over and over until their faces become badly worn, giving a bad impression on the paper. By the use of this invention much of this labor is eliminated and a new type face is cast on every block, the block being remelted-after each run.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine for casting fudge blocks in accordance with this invention, portions of the structure being broken away to disclose interior mechamsnis.

Fig. 2 is a plan view from above of the same, the machine being illustrated in the open position.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the metal melting pot partly broken away in cross section to disclose the pump for displacing the molten metal.

Fig. l is a fragmentary detail in perspective of the cylinder of a printing press, having a fudge block fixed thereon in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 5 is a detail in perspective of a fudge block formed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail in side elevation of the timing gear clutch.

. Fig. 7 is a detail in perspective from above of the matrix type in the chase frame.

In detail the block includes the body portion 1, having the type faces 2 integrally formed thereon; the base of the block iscurved as at 3 to fit the curvature of the cylinder 4 to which it is attached. The opposite sides of the body 1 are provided with lugs 5 uniformly spaced apart. These lugs are tapered to form the incline plane 6, adapted to engage under the similarly inclined plane of the studs 7 fixed on the cylinder 4, uniformly spaced apart along the length of the cylinder and transversely separated to clear the width of the body 1 of the block. The block is applied to the cylinder by setting the base 3 against the surface of the cylinder and moving it 10ngitudinally until the lugs 5 engage under the studs 7, the wedging action of the inclined planes 6 under the studs forcing the block into rigid engagement with the cylinder. The block is forced by the Wedge 8 engaging the inclined edge of the block 9 fixed on the cylinder, the wedge 8 serving as a quoin for securing the block to the cylinder. The wedge is fixed by the set screw 10 passing therethrough and threaded into the cylinder. The block 9 overhangs the edge of the wedge 8 as at 11 to insure the proper alined engagement of these wedging surfaces. After the run, the block is removed by removing the wedge 8 and driving the fudge block back until it clears the studs 7, detaching it from the cylinder.

In detail the fudge block forming machine illustrated in the drawings includes the box-like body portion 12 made up in any .suitable manner, preferably of cast iron and mounted upon a suitable base,13 of any convenient height. This form of mounting the machine upon a separate base is convenient, as it can be mounted upon a low base or fixed upon a bench, or upon a high base if it is preferable to support the machine on the floor.

To make the machine as compact and selfcontained as possible, the operating mechanism is assembled within the body portion 12 so far as practicable. It is desirable that this machine take up the minimum amount of space as it is intended for installation in the composing room where space economy and efficiency of operation are desirable.

The block is cast on end in a substantially vertical position in a separable mold, the various parts of the mold'receding after the block has cooled, permitting it to drop out of the machine. The'various operations being carried out automatically so far as practicable, the opening and closing of the mold, the pouring of the metal and the ejection of the block being synchronized by suitable operating and timing gears driven by an electric or other motor. The motor 14 is mounted on the bracket 16 extending outward from the side of the frame 12, the worm gear 15 is fixed on the drive shaft of the motor and enmeshed with the gear 17 fixed on a stud shaft 18 journaled in the bearing 19 forming partof the strut 20 extending across the frame 12 of the machine. A pinion 21 is fixed on the shaft 18 and en meshed with the timing gear 22. The hub 23 of the timing gear revolves freely upon the shaft 24, journaled in a suitable bearing in the strut 20 at the bottom and in the bearing 25 at the top of the frame 12 of the machine. The train of gears just recited are interposed for speed reduction from the speed'of the motor 1250 R. P. M. to the speed of the time shaft P. M. the ratio varying with different conditions. The shaft 24 revolving slowly will give a proper interval according to the contour of the cam, to permit the cooling of the fudge block before the opening of the mold, after the hot metal is pumped into it. The rotation of the timing gear 22 is transmitted to the shaft 24 through a manually operated synchronizing clutch.

This clutch consists of the hub 26 keyed onto the shaft 24 and having the arm 27 extending outward therefrom to the rim of the timing gear 22. The outer end of the arm 27 is provided with a vertical guide 28 for the pin 29 vertically slidable therein. This pin is normally depressed by the tension of the spring 30 bearing against the head thereof, and fixed to the hub 26 at 31. The rim of the timing gear 22 is provided with a hole to guide the vertical plunger 32 slidable therein. The plunger 32 normally hangs suspended from the gear until it strikes the inclined head 33 of the vertical end of the bell crank trip pivoted at 34, and manually operated by the rod 35 connected to the handle 36 extending through the side of the frame of the machine within convenient reach of the operator. plunger 32 is stopped by the transverse pin 37 engaging a slot in the plunger to hold it out of contact with the gear 17 as it passes thereover in the revolution of the timing gear. In Fig. 1 the plunger 32 is shown in the elevated position, having forced the clutch pin 29 out of engagement with the hole in the timing gear 22, this being the open interval of the mold. The hub 38 of the cam 39 is keyed or otherwise fixed on the upper end of the shaft 24, and revolves therewith. The contour of the cam 39 is indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The cam slot engages the upstanding stud 40 fixed in the cross bar 50 that connects the guide rods 51 51 slidable in the guides 5151 on opposite sides of the machine. The cam 39, stud 40, the cross bar 50, the guide rods 51, and the guides 51 are duplicated'at the bottom of the frame on opposite ends of the shaft, the four guide rods 51 being joined by the type matrix frame 53, having cross extensions 53 through which the rods 51 pass, and to Which they are secured by the nuts 54 threaded thereon, the extensions 53 engaging a shoulder on the rods 51. The heavy tension springs 55 are interposed between the nuts 54 and the top of the extensions 53 to absorb any undue crushing strain that might be put upon the operating mechanism by an accidental obstruction within the mold or other causes. By this arrangement the type matrix frame 53 is caused to advance toward and recede from the plane of the casting mold in absolute parallelism with the plane thereof. p

The side bars 56-56 forming the sides of the mold are guided in transverse slots formed in the face plate 57 of the machine, the side bars having the dovetail guides 58 engaging the slots in the face plate. The side bars are advanced and retracted by the turn buckle links 59 accurately adjustable as The drop of the to length and respectively pivoted at 60 to the side bars and at-6l to the guide rod 51. The outward movement of the guide rods 51 retracts the side bars 56 to open the mold, and the reverse action of the guide rods cause the links to push the side bars 56 forward to close the mold. The side bars move forward into contact with the side of the base block 62 which forms the bottom of the mold, vthe curved surface 63 of whlch forms the curved base of the fudge block. This base block 62 extends the full length of the mold and is adapted to have water circulated therethrough supplied by the pipe 64, to carry away the heat of the molten metal during the casting process to chill the completed fudge block. The base block 62 is let into the face plate 57 and may be easily removed and substituted to form fudge blocks having difierently shaped bases or curvatures to suit the shape or curvature of the cylinder to which they are to be attached. The side bars 56 have lateral recesses into which the molten metal flows to form the lug 5 on the side of the fudge block.

The top of the mold consists of a stick of intaglio or matrix type 69 set into the chase frame 65, and clamped therein by the follower 66 having a stem 67 swiveled therein and threaded in the end of the chase frame.

The matrix type are clamped in the chase by turning the .stem 67 having a convenient handle 68. The type 69 are provided with the transverse heads 70 overhanging the top of the chase. The matrix frame 53 is provided with a longitudinal slot into which the chase 65 can be slid, to hold the type faces in juxtaposition to the base block 62, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the lower end of the stick of type resting against the plate 71 fixed to the frame 53 and against which the end of the fudge block is cast.

The Various movable parts forming the mold are simultaneously operated through their connecting mechanisms by the cam slot 41 engaging the stud 40 on the cross bar 50, that is moved in accordance with the contour of the cam slot. The machine is illustrated throughout the drawings in the open position with the throw of the cam at the maximum position. Themachine operates substantially as follows:

The motor is switched on in the usual manner, and continues running while the machine is in operation. The timing gear 22 continues to revolve under the pin 29, and is prevented from engaging the hole in the timing gear by the end of the plunger 32 that is flush with the top of the timing gear (see Fig. 4). To close the mold the operator depresses the handle 36 which pulls the trip 33 from beneath the plunger 32, permitting the spring 30 to force the pin 39 into the hole in the rim of the timing gear detent 43 fixed on the end of the arm 27 This is a precautionary measure to insure the holding back of the trip 33 until the pin is entirely engaged in the hole in the timing gear 22; the detent 43 being on the now revolving arm 27 is removed from engagement with the dog 42, which permits the trip 33 to resume its normal position, under tension of the spring 44 having one end fixed to the bell crank lever and the other end to a fixed part of the frame 12. The rotation of the shaft 24 carries the cam 39 with it, the passing of the eccentric portion of the cam slot 41 drawing the stud 40 toward the center of the cam into the concentric path of the cam slot, during which interval the mold is held closed under tension, until a complete revolution of the cam again puts the various connected mechanisms in the starting position. The retrac tion of the arm 50 draws the matrix frame 53 inward until the corners 72--72 of the type 69 firmly engage the angular recesses 7 37 3 provided in the top of the side bars 56 56 that simultaneously have been moved forward by their respective links 59 pivoted to the guide rods 51. The springs 55 keep a heavy even tension on the type, in suring the hermetic sealing of the mold between the type and the side bars. The end plate 71 engages the end of the base block 62 to form a hermetic engagement therewith sealing the bottom of the mold. Simultaneously with the closing of the mold, the inclined cam 74 passes under the roller 7 5 in the end of the rocking beam 7 6 fulcrumed at 77 in a pillar 78 forming part of the frame 12, the opposite end of this beam 76 being pivoted at 79 to the connecting rod 80 of piston 81 vertically slidable in the cylinder 82, submerged in the melting pot 83 attached to the frame 12 by the bracket 84. The elevation of the roller into the position indicated by the cam in dotted lines in Fig. 1, presses the piston 81 down displacing the molten metal within the cylinder, causing it to flow upward through the discharge pipe 85 into the swing nozzle 86 discharging into the top of the mold; the descent of the piston closing the hole 87 through which the molten metal enters the cylinder 82 from the melting pot surrounding it. By adj usting the length of the connecting rod 80, the piston 81 can be raised or lowered in the cylinder to regulate the amount of metal displaced, so as to entirely fill the mold without overflowing it. It is necessary to make the mold longer than the length of the fudge block, the extra length forming a riser at the top to give the necessary head or pressure to the molten metal to cause it to completely fill the mold, and insure the proper density of the metal and to provide outlet for the slag and impurities in the metal. that will float to the top before the block chills. This riser is sawed off before the block is put into use. The passage of the concentric portion of the cam slot carries the stud'tO outward to the original position, opening the mold by reversing the action described in connection with its closing. The lugs 5 on the fridge block retain their engagement with the recesses in the side bars 56 in which they were formed, until the type 69 have receded from the block, the lateral sides of the type faces are tapered sufiiciently to give the necessary draft to prevent the sticking of the type within the type matrices. To insure the proper withdrawal from the recesses of the lugs 5, the lugs are similarly tapered and drafted, the corners being rounded and filleted to prevent sticking. To keep the fudge blocks properly centered while the side bars are withdrawing laterally, the base block 62 is provided with a bead 88. WVhen the mold has completely opened-and the end plate 71 risen from engagement with the end of the fudge block, the block slides out of the machine. The concentric interval in the cam slot is sufliciently long to permit the complete chilling and setting of the molten fmetal in small heading blocks, such as illustrated in Fig. 5; about 18 seconds is suflicient for cooling the block.

The swing nozzle 86 is swiveled over the end of the discharge pipe so that the nozzle may be swung out of the way if desired. The discharge end of the nozzle should be so arranged that it discharges the molten metal into the mold in such a manner that the air in the mold escapes freely there from to prevent the bubbling in the block; this can be accomplished by dividing the discharge into two separate streams directed to different parts of the mold.

Suitable gas burners or other means not shown must be provided for melting the metal contained in the pot 83.

A novel form of melting pot is shown in the drawings in which the pot is divided into two separate chambers 89 and 90, separated by the partition 91, having an opening therethrough closed by the sliding gate 92. The metal is first reduced in the chamber 89 to the molten state, the impurities in the metal rising to the surface, the gate 72 is then raised permitting the metal to flow into the chamber 90; the opening through the partition being near the bottom, the floating impurities remain in the chamber 89, clean metal only accumulating in the chamber 90 to be admitted through the opening 87 into the cylinder of the pump.

I do not wish to be understood as confining this invention to the disclosures made of this invention.

h-a-ndpower, and the metal introduced by other means, all well within the purview Having thus described this invention, I claim:

:1. A machine such as described including separable side bars, a mold base adjacent the separable side bars, a movable matrix in juxtaposition with said base and side bars, and means for synchronously moving said matrix and causing the separable bars to approach each other preparatory to making a cast.

able side bars having lug recesses therein adjacent each side of said base block, a

matrix frame movable in juxtaposition to.

said base block and s ide bars; and means for moving said side bars synchronized with a moving of the matrix frame. I

4-. A machine such as described including separable side bars adjacent a fixed base block, a movable matrix frame in juxtaposition to said base block and side bars; links plvotally mounted on said movable frame pivotally connected to said side bars; and

means for moving said frame away from said side bars synchronously with a lateral movement of the side bars.

5. A machine such as described including a main frame; a mold consisting of a matrix frame movable from said main frame; a base block on said main frame in juxtapo sition to said matrix frame; side bars adjacent said base block laterally guided on said main frame; and means for synchronously moving said matrix frame from the base block and moving said sidebars laterally.

6. A machine such as described including a main frame; a mold consisting of a movable matrix frame slidably guided on said main frame; a lease block on said main frame in juxtaposition to said matrix frame; side bars adjacent said base block laterally guided in said main frame; means for synchronously moving said matrix frame from the base block and moving said side bars laterally; and means for automatically filling said mold when closed.

7. A machine such as described including a main frame; a mold consisting of a matrix frame, movable from said main frame, slidablyguided on said main frame; a base block in said main frame; side bars laterally guided in said main frame adjacent said base block; links pivotally connecting said matrix frame and said side bars; means for operating said matrix frame and side bars to open and close the mold; and means for filling said mold synchronized with said operating means.

8. A machine such as described including a main frame, a mold consisting of a matrix slidably guided in said main frame; movable from said frame; a base block on said main frame in juxtaposition to said matrix frame; side bars laterally guided on said main frame and adapted to engage said matrix and said base block; a melting pot adjacent to said mold having a pump therein; and means for synchronously closing said mold and operating said pump.

9. A machine such as described including a main frame having a mold base thereon; guides on said frame; a matrix frame engaging said guides and having an end plate; connecting links pivotally mounted on said matrix frame; a matrix in said frame in juxtaposition to said mold base; side bars movable laterally to said mold base and linked to said matrix frame; a cam engaging said matrix frame; and means for operating said cam.

10. A machine such as described including a main frame; a base block on said frame; laterally separable side bars on said main frame adjacent said base block; a matrix frame slidable on said main frame and movable in juxtaposition to said base block and side bars, a mold filling mechanism, a motor, and interposed gearing adapted to synchronously move said side bars and said matrix frame and operate said filling mechanism.

11. A machine such as described including a mold having a fixed base block, a movable frame having a matrix in juxtaposition to said base block, links pivotally mounted on the ends of said matrix frame, movable side bars, with lug recesses formed therein, linked to said movable frame; and means for moving said frame away from the base with the lateral movement of the side bars.

12. In a machine such as described including separable side bars with lug recesses therein; a base block between said side bars, a matrix frame movable in juxtaposition to said base block and separable side bars, and a removable tray with matrices therein slidably secured in said matrix frame.

13. A machine such as described including a mold having a fixed base block; a movable frame having a matrix in juxtaposition to said base block; links pivotally mounted on the ends of said matrix frame, movable side bars with lug recesses formed therein, linked to said movable frame; means for moving said frame away from the side bars, and means for filling said mold synchronously with the closing thereof.

14. A machine such as described includ ing a main frame; a mold consisting of a matrix frame slidably guided in said main frame and movable from said main frame; a base block fixed in said main frame in registry with said matrix frame; side bars adjacent said base block laterally guided in said main frame having lug recesses therein; means for moving said matrix frame and side bars to form a mold and means for filling said mold synchronously with the closing thereof.

15. In a machine of the character described, a main frame; a base block secured in said main frame; a matrix frame slidable on said main framein juxtaposition to said base block; links pivotally mounted on the opposite ends of said matrix frame; side bars guided in said main frame adjacent each side of said base block pivotally connected to the matrix frame, a mold filling mechanism; a motor; mechanism connected therewith for synchronously lowering said matrix frame, closing the side bars and operating the mechanism for filling the mold formed.

16. The combination with a matrix carrying frame of separable mold members having recesses in the opposing faces thereof; links connecting said frame and mold members; a base block between said mold members and in juxtaposition with said matrix frame having a bead extending lengthwise thereon; mechanism for synchronously moving said frame and mold members and means for filling said mold synchronized with its moving means.

17. In a device of the character disclosed in combination with a base block having a bead thereon and a matrix frame in juxtaposition therewith; of laterally slidable mold bars adjacent each side of the base block having recesses in the opposing faces thereof whereby a slug havin projections on the opposite sides and a slot 1n the bottom thereof can be cast; and mechanism for raising the matrix frame synchronously with the lateral movement of the side bars to release the cast slug.

18. In a device of the character disclosed in combination with a base block having a bead thereon of a matrix frame in juxtaposition therewith; of laterally slidable mold bars adjacent each side of the base block having recesses in the opposing faces thereof, whereby a slug having projections on the oppositesides and a slot in the bottom therecast slug.

-' 19. In adeviceofthe character disclosed "in combination With a base block; a matrix frame in juxtaposition therewith; of 1aterally slidable-mold bars, adjacent each side 10 'of-the base'lolock having recesses in the opposing faces thereof, whereby a slug having projections on the opposite sides thereof can be cast; and mechanism for raising the matrix'frame synchronously with a lateral movement of the side bars to release the cast slug.

4 111 testimony whereof, I havehereunto set my hand at San Francisco, California,-this 19th day of J anuary,-1916.

FENNER HALE WEBB.- In presence of BALDWIN VALE.

Ccpies o'fthispatent maybe obtained for five-cents each, lay-addressing" the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

